"Who Gets to Define What's Right and Wrong?"

[h0tsex0r]

Great video. I agree that a shared spectrum of desire for peaceful life and respect for others is the basis for an ethical culture. As the world shrinks through travel, intermarriage, and the internet, our borders and races may become less important, and unity may occur.

I would point out that while a despotic "might makes right" idea of morality seems tyrannical, even the rule of democracy is merely "might makes right" of the many; their power is simply spread throughout the majority.

[myintellectualjourny]

Thanks h0tsex0r. I definitely share your optimism. On the majority rules point, I think its worth noting that the majority is made up of minorities to some degree and definitely individuals entirely. That's to say, it makes sense that the majority would be for protection of minorities and individual rights from "might makes right" bullying... if we know whats good for us - in what kind of society we live in (as what goes around comes around.)

Cheers ;)

[quedorf]

It is my belief that morals are dictated by those who have the ability and means to punish for going against the morals.

[myintellectualjourny]

Thanks quedorf. That's Interesting. So would say that your personal understanding of what's right & wrong has been dictated to u by those in power locally? And if so, wouldn't this mean you would agree with the laws of your area consistently? Is this true for you and your understanding? & even if so, how would you explain those who see some of the laws of their area as immoral & r acting to change them? I guess my point is I see what your saying as one factor but not definitive. Thanks ;)

[myintellectualjourny]

(cont'd)

One more follow up question might be, do you think it is immoral for those Iranians who are protesting their government as acting immorally because those in power their don't like it and reward it with physical punishment and often death?

Thanks.

[myintellectualjourny]

Thanks RFD ;)

[drsuessre14]

So, you're saying something like x is moral iff x is approved of by y% of the population?

[myintellectualjourny]

@drsuessre14 (1 of 2)

Not exactly.

It would require a definition of morality to judge x by.

My focus here is more on basic moral consensus in society (rather than objective moral truth itself). I took it that the way of the master video suggested this was not possible in an effective / stable way w/out religion.

So I'm just saying, we can have a shared outlook about some basic things being moral or not by way of the majority of people seeing it as such...

[myintellectualjourny]

@drsuessre14 (2 of 2)

For there to be shared consensus of morality that is truly in people's individual and collective best interest requires a few conditions though. And that is, mainly that we use our natural capacity for rationality to consider what is truly in our best individual and collective best interest... also requiring some basic knowledge about human nature / and its relevance to our shared goal: well-being and happiness.

[myintellectualjourny]

@drsuessre14 (3 of 3 - oops)

If you were to press me for a definition of morality, I would say its a question of what people "should" and "should not" do in light of the intertwined relationship between our individual interest/happiness and the interests/happiness of others (and this would include what kind of society and laws we support, collective shared moral expectations and also treatment of people in both our public and private relationships.)

I hope that some how answers your ? ;o)

[myintellectualjourny]

@drsuessre14

(And thanks for asking it ; )